Are PNB and PNB Institute of IT different public authorities?

2 Mar, 2013

Background

The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Punjab National Bank (PNB) seeking information about a selection process. The Public Information Officer (PIO) did not reply to the application.

Proceedings

During the hearing before the Central Information Commission (CIC), the appellant alleged that irregularities had been committed in the selection process. The respondent stated that they have no intention to withhold any information from the appellant and that the information will be provided in the next 15 days. The appellant argued that the respondent had deliberately delayed the information and a penalty should be imposed on him. The respondent stated that the RTI application was sent by the appellant himself to the PNB and not to the respondent institution and it appears that it took a long time for the RTI application to come from the PNB to the respondent institution. The respondent further explained that the respondent institution is a separate institution with its own identity though the CMD of the PNB is the head of this institution but its functioning was autonomous of the bank.

View of CIC

The Commission directed the respondent to provide information to the appellant and also issued the show cause notice to the respondent for contravening the timelines prescribed in the RTI Act.